New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-01-12
REVENUE REDUCTION.

Mr.. Hiscock's till to reduce tho revenue has
teen assaled with much beat bv The Times =
and sundly Other journals whose devotion to
British theories and interests was displayed in
the last Presidential campaign. That will not
harm the measure with Republicans. On the
other hand, IL has been generally commended
by Republican journ1's. and 1t ar cars probable
already that the Republican members of Con-
gress are more nearly prepared to unite on
this than on any other measure of reduction
yet presented. Its provisions however. are
closely scrutnizcd, as they should be. II inn
provcmcnfs can be suggested, or defects point
cd out all who arc in accord with lis main
principles will he glad 10 see the bill perfected
before it comes to a woe And this should be
done speedily, because the bill should be
brought to a vote without delay. The Rcpub-
lican members ought to have IN opportunity,
by uniting upon this or some similar measure,
10 plare on record their desire to reduce the
revenue, and to show the people how reduc-
ton can lc effected without rros'ra ing home
Industries. No other issue in the next Pes
ioenial campaign, ii is probable will have
more weight than this The Republicans now
have a great advantage in their attitude on this
question. II would he qui o unlike the mi
nOrity in the House, which HIS thus far put the
majority in the wrong on almost every qucs
ton since this Congress was organized. to fool
ishly throw away its advantage by failure TO
act promptly and unitcdly on this vital issue
The revenue is Of two kinds that which ia
collected exclusively from the rcoplc of this
country, and that which is paid in Fart by for
cigncrs as a means Of getting access 10 Amcri-
can markets. The internal taxes, the duty on
sugar, and the duties on some other articles
are Of the former class. The duties which
have developed inn GRANT branches If home
industry, and by that development have affect
ed prices Of produces in other countries, and
have forced foreign producers TO sacrifice part
OF their profits in order 10 sell in this market
are protective in cha ac'er and purpose. Bit
fish manufacturers and traders and Dcmoc. q ic
politicians have shown n desperate dctcm ma
ton to break down these protective duties
Four-ffths OF the Democratic members OF Con-
gross have by their votes vir ually declared
that no reduction Of revenue shall bc permitted.
whatever the cost in financial disas err unless
it is so contrived as to help foreign and strike
down homo industries The Republican, mem
ters 81 Congress have been thus far AMI ought
y
ing this policy, in MAINTAIN ng the duties tina;
pro ect. and in favOing reduction OF that art
of the revenue which can lie cut off without
breaking down the indus ries so long fos.crd
by Republican leg station.
The removal of the sugar duty has tecn
opposed by some, on the ground that il is
protective duty in character AS a mater Of
fact it is not Originally imposed for revenue
exclusively. and by the Republicans again I'M
posed during tic wa, when no sugar was pro
duced in the country and the sngar-raisng
States w.re engaged IN rebellion, The duty has
teen especially valuable a source Of revenue.
because it has entirely failed 50 to develop
home production as 10 dim n sh reliance upon
foreign supplies Mr.. Hiscocks proposal to
substitute bounty cannot be justified Oh the
ground that it takes the place OF protective
duty to be abandoned, for the sugar duty has
failed TO serve any protective purpose, and was
not originally intended to serve any such pur-
pose But it is proper, and entirely consistent
with protective principles, TO develop the sugar
in the Uni cd States, if practicable,
by other means not yet tiled in this country.
The lounty 20 sugar PRODUCERS is appropriately
tuggcs cd because 1t has been 10y means Of a
direct bounty that Germany has depressed the
price of sugar so far as TO make the revenue
duty in this country Of no benefit to American
cane or beet growers.
If the bounty succeeds in stimulating pro-
duction in this country. so that the people OF
the United States may become no longer dc
pendent upon the churlish temper Of the Span
ish authorities in Cufa, or upon the maintc-
nance there of peaceful industry in spite OF the
struggles of slave labor for freedom, that re-
suit will justify the measure. and will album
Iantly repay the outlay contemplated. But if
the bounty fails 10 develop home production,
as similar bounty has developed beet culture
in Germany, this at least can he said in rs
favor, that it will cost the Treasury but an
insignificant sum- and may help to tighten for
louisiana cane producers disaster which has
for some years appeared inevitable. At wors.
it may cost tic Urea ury a tifc. At best, it
may secure for the country independence III
new and impor ant direction